We don’t see too many Continental-based customs, and of the ones we do see, few are finished as well as this 1948 Lincoln Continental for sale on Hemmings.com. We just have to ask: Who is Chuck Barris? George and Sam’s long-lost guitar-slinging brother? From the seller’s description:

This is a Custom Modified Hot Rod Created in the 1960′s Styling was inspired by the Chuck Barris Customs of the day, including a Packard Grill, 1950′s Mercury Clip Redesigned Rear etc. Car was displayed in a museum for decades Rebuilt Ford Y Block, New Brakes, Tires etc.

I guess a person should keep an open mind and remember that back in the 60s customizers weren’t as conservative then. If I were to see this car when it was first built, I’d just give it a once-over and move on to the next car. Today, if I saw something like this come fresh out of a shop, I’d be tempted to run the builder over with it—twice. I view something as rare as a’48 Lincoln as a historic artifact and it should be preserved as such. But obviously others won’t agree with me. Fortunately we still live in a land where we are still allowed our opinions.

No, Chuck he didn’t sling a guitar. He did write a top 3 hit, “Palisades Park” in 1962 for Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon. There’s a good chance you’ve heard the song at a car show dedicated to early 60s cars.

The ’48 Continental is a good looking car, not the greatest, but good, this custom however, isn’t a good looking car. I believe it was inspired by the “Chuck Barris’ customs of the day, since it doesn’t look much lke a George Barris custom. Just another example of one man’s taste doesn’t necessarily make for a classic. Maybe some Lincoln lover will rescue this ugy duckling and turn in it back into a swan.

As a kid back in the ’70s I would see a beautiful maroon ’48 Continental every day from the school bus window. It wasn’t even garaged but always looked terrific. I can’t say the same for this one, it reminds me of a disguised prototype or test car. Even the paint scheme works to detract from what’s left of its classic original styling.

Being an owner of a 1948 Lincoln Continental which I try very hard to keep as original as when it was built, I hate to see someone destroy one of only 847 automobiles that were ever built. These cars were hand built rather than just running down as assembly line as the Ford and Mercurys were. The 1948 Lincoln Continental is rated as one of only eight automobiles ever built that is considered a work of art and now listed as a full classic. Why try to improve on it?